Syria's northern city of Raqqa as the biggest ISIS-held city in the country has almost been cleansed of ISIS terrorist group as the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces advanced into the de facto capital of the self-proclaimed caliphate.

Ousting the terrorist group from Raqqa is another heavy blow to the ISIS that in past two years gradually retreated from the seized territories upon progression by the Syrian and Iraqi national armies. Raqqa was one of the first cities the ISIS captured in the 2014 sweeping offensives. After three years, the SDF, a coalition of predominantly Kurdish forces along with Arab militias, nearly four months ago encircled the city.

On the other side, capture of Raqqa is so significant for the Kurdsand helps them realize some of their goals in north of the country. Raqqa is located next to the Kurdish northern line, which is presently divided into western and eastern parts. Kobani, a city in east of Euphrates River, and Afrin, city in Euphrates’s west, are held by Syrian Kurdish forces. However, Manbij, a city lying in between, is held by the Arab opposition militias loyal to and sponsored by the Turkish army. The Kurdish forces are hopeful that Raqqa seizure will serve their aim of connecting the two northern Kurdish cities.

Additionally, now that ISIS is defeated in Raqqa, there is possibility of the Kurds being stripped of the American military backing they have been receiving in the past two years. Even Washington can disarm them, something it pledged to Ankara leaders after they lashed out at the US for its help to the forces Turkey identifies its archenemies.

In past two years, the US support for the advancing Kurdish fighters in north provided justification for Turkey to grow concerns and protest. The Turkish leaders fear that American backup will result in establishment of a Kurdish state or at least an autonomous region on their southern borders.

Prime Minister Binali Yidrim of Turkey earlier in May noted that Washington assured Ankara that it will clear the Kurdish fighters of People’s Protection Units (YPG) from Raqqa after retaking in a bid to save its demographic makeup, signaling hard situation for the Kurds’ stay after the city liberation. The comments came short after the White House announced plans to send semi-heavy weapons to the YPG combatants.

Regarding the Turkish pressures and American assurances of Kurdish forces’ withdrawal, the Kurds cannot cultivate optimism about increased power or rising as an unchallenged force in post-ISIS Raqqa. Their hope for tightened grip on Raqqa in fact can be frustrated if the US decides to take arms from their hands, an arrangement likely now.

So, the US backing for the Kurdish forces in their push for Raqqa control is translated as going in service of the US– rather than the Kurds’- interests. In fact, behind its investment in Raqqa operation Washington seeks concocting its own play cards for easier bargaining and share taking in the Syrian future negotiations. Now that the central Syrian government is increasingly restoring stability to the country, and Moscow and Tehran, two staunch allies of Damascus, will take center stage and accentuate the Damascus authority in prospective peace talks, Washington’s sole hope is territory control for any potential role which can be, unavoidably, so limited as Syrian battleground successes and more calm continue to unfold.